Am I a Candidate for a Periareolar Lift with Implants? (photo)

Doctor Answers 13

Am I a candidate for a periareolar lift with implants?

May 11th, 2014

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hello! Thank you for your question and photos! It is normal for the breast to lose its firmness and perkiness over time, which is accentuated with age, pregnancy/breast feeding, weight gain/loss, and gravity. This ultimately results in ptosis, or sagging, of the breast with a “deflated” appearance. Women often seek the mastopexy, or breast lift, procedure to regain the previous youthful appearance of her breasts and desire that uplifted and perky appearance of her breasts. Women report increased confidence, self-esteem, and femininity once she achieves this desired shape and fullness. Breast lifts may or may not be performed with implants – the implant would add increased size but also greater fullness in the upper pole of the breasts which creates more cleavage. The implant itself will add these things - given your photos, a breast lift alone is a reasonable decision.

Given your photos, I do agree that you will need some lifting of your breast atop your implants to achieve the best results and not have your breast fall over the implant. The implant itself only does a small amount of lifting of the nipple-areolar complex. While the periareolar lift will lift, it is indicated in those who require only a small lift. If the implant does lift it enough that it may be accomplished with this alone, it may be possible. However, I would consider adding a small vertical incision to achieve a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance of your breast. Incisions on the breasts heal very well and I would not sacrifice appearance for a small incision.

The decision for implants and a breast lift will be up to you...depending on how much you are bothered about the shape as well as your concerns. Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon well-versed in breast surgery and s/he will assist you in deciding if a mastopexy with/out augmentation will be the right decision for you. Thank you for your question! Hope that this helps. Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Periareolar Lift with Implants

June 11th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Your photos suggest that you would not be a candidate for Periareolar Lift. To verify based on physical examination and a review of your objectives, consult with 3 - 4 experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons.

You might also like...

Related content

If you had the scar you wanted, but your breasts look funny, will you be happy?

June 11th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Hi there-

It's important for you to think about the question above... and to realize that not all breast lift techniques result in equivalent changes in breast shape.

In other words, the greatest mistake I see patients and surgeons alike make is that of thinking that the best way to choose a breast lift technique is to get an understanding of which scar the patient finds acceptable.

A periareolar lift with implants would result in a funny, flattened shape in your case- be careful.

I would advise you to find a great surgeon first, visit for an exam, and follow their recommendations.

Mastopexy incision

June 11th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Your photos show significant ptosis. I would probably recommend a vertical lift to give you the best shape. An exam would be needed to confirm my recommendation. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

What type of lift?

June 9th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is difficult to assess your nipple position on your chest wall from your photos. A formal physical exam will be needed to assess your chest wall dimensions, the position of your nipples and degree of sagging, and your skin quality. Based on these assessments, your board certified PS will be able to guide you in terms of the type of lift that may be needed. Best of luck.

Periareolar lift with implants

June 9th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Based on your photos, I would suggest reviewing this carefully with your plastic surgeon. A periareolar lift will reduce your areolar size and lift your breasts slightly, but your nipple position appears low and this type of lift may not give you an attractive shape or breast position relative to your chest. I would probably lean more towards a vertical mastopexy with implants.

More than a periareolar lift needed

June 9th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

In the end it is up to you to decide what shape will be enough for you to be happy. But you have too much lower pole skin excess and laxity to get a great shape improvement with just a periareolar lift. For the best shape, you would need a full lift from your starting point but this involves more scars. So in the end it is important for you to be realistic and ask how much shape improvement you really want. Even though nobody wants scars, most folks really want the best shape and will make the trade of shape for scar. An intermediate position would be to do the PA lift and convert it to a full in 6 months if the flat front, baggy bottom look of the PA lift is not acceptable to you.

Good Candidate for Periareolar Breast Lift?

June 9th, 2012

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for the question and pictures.

It is not possible to give you precise advice without direct examination and a full communication of your goals. However, based on your side view breast picture, I would be concerned about achieving the best results possible with periareolar breast lifting only. This picture demonstrates a significant amount of lower pole breast skin/tissue that will not be lifted significantly with the operation you mention.

Remember that the circumareolar breast lifting operation provides for a limited/localized breast lift. This operation may be over utilized given that patients generally are seeking to avoid breast scars as much as possible.

Most patients (If properly selected and who are doing the operations at the right time of their lives) accept the scars associated with breast augmentation/breast lifting surgery as long as they are happy with the improvement in contour, size, and symmetry. This acceptance of the scars is the essential “trade-off” associated with many of the procedures we do in the field of plastic surgery.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.